Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
Exhibitors at Spring Fair are ramping up efforts to champion their private label ranges, according to ITE Group, which organises the annual trade show.
This year’s event will be held from February 3 to February 7 at the NEC in Birmingham, and ITE Group has reported ‘a significant increase’ in the number of manufacturers and suppliers showcasing private label products and services.
Robert Sapwell, head of sales for Spring and Autumn Fair, said: “Private label has seen an evolution into ‘private brand’ in the last few years, and our exhibitors are clearly seeing the business opportunity in that development.
“We are seeing innovative, consumer-focused ranges across all of our categories that offer a finely poised balance between price and quality – superbly effective in targeting cost-conscious consumers.
“Premium ranges have also had a role to play in elevating private label offerings, and the quality and provenance of some of the products we see on exhibitors’ stands are manufactured to a remarkably high standard.
“Spring Fair exhibitors can now easily indicate on their online and catalogue profile whether private label is part for their offering, making it simpler for retailers to identify their potential supplier.
“It’s a really exciting space for retail suppliers to be operating in and we are delighted that buyers visiting Spring Fair will be able to source for that side of their operation too.”
Stephen Illingworth, product development director of regular giftware exhibitor Widdop and Co., added: “We work in partnership with our customers in the UK & Internationally to source and develop exclusive products or unique services that utilise our exclusive 250 suppliers, in-house marketing and design team, and our award-winning distribution facilities in the UK and overseas.
“We really invest in delivering what retailers want from their private label ranges, before they even know it. We spend over £100,000 per year tooling for new product development and £150,000 per year express shipping exclusive samples. We produce more than £5 million at retail per year of completely bespoke product.
“Private label is a unique proposition. But the service you offer must provide the foundation for your product range and a strong relationship with your customer. We’ve put a lot of focus on this in recent years, and will continue to do so.”
